HAMBURG.-In 2008, from the 11th to the 20th of April, Hamburg will be the centre of photography in Germany for the fourth time. During ten days, exceptional ideas, enthusiasm and commitment for photography concentrate in lectures, films, lightshows, and encounters. Ten museums and various galleries complement the Triennial of Photography with exhibitions, which can also be seen after the festival. Ten days, during which people interested in photography and art, scientists, photographers, and experts for media and art have the possibility to meet and to have an intensive look at photography.

The triennial presents photographers from various countries throughout the world, who bring in their personal experiences and ideas and who show what is going on in the world. Aside from works of established artists, a forum is offered to new talents. Due to numerous photo exhibitions in museums, galleries, and other locations, round table talks as well as gallery tours and receptions, the 4th Triennial of Photography will become Hamburg’s cultural event of the year 2008.

The Haus der Photographie (House of Photography) marks the beginning of the triennial with its definite retrospective of F.C. Gundlach’s work, one of the most renowned German fashion photographers of the postwar era. The exhibition "Das fotografische Werk" (The Photographic Oeuvre) shows fashion photography of four decades, in which F.C. Gundlach staged fashion and therefore made fashion history - the history of clothing, but as well the history of poses and gestures, props and locations, and changing ideals of beauty.

Further exhibitions of the Triennial of Photography present photographs by Sharon Lockhart, Candida Höfer, Fischli-Weiss, Walter Schels, Karin Székessy, and Winston Link. In addition, Hamburg's galleries enrich the festival program.

A marquee at the Deichtorplatz in front of the Haus der Photographie will be the meeting point of the Triennial 2008. As a central information point and venue, evening lightshows as well as lectures on the motto of the triennial "Say Cheese – About Smiling in Photography" will take place there. Furthermore, visitors can get information about the Triennial of Photography at this place. For expert visitors and press a meeting point will be at their disposal.

The portfolio viewing on the second weekend of the triennial offers both young and established photographers the special opportunity of meeting the directors of international photo festivals and of having their work assessed. (In November, the registration form will be available on the Internet.)

During the following months, the full program will be continuously posted on the Internet under www.phototriennale.de. On the occasion of the triennial, a catalogue and a free guide will be published.

In 1999, the first triennial took place in Hamburg in eight museums and instituions as well as forty galleries and other organizations. At the 3rd Triennial of Photography the number of organizers doubled and 250,000 guests visited the festival.

The Triennale der Photographie GmbH is supported by the ZEIT-Foundation Ebelin and Gerd Bucerius, the Authority for Culture and Economy of the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg, and the publishing house Gruner + Jahr.